1. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) conducted ballistic missile launch today, which is its seventh such provocation this year alone. The Government of Republic of Korea (ROK) condemns in the strongest terms this provocative act by the DPRK, as it clearly violates relevant UN Security Council resolutions and constitutes a serious challenge to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and the international community.

2. Noting that the DPRK conducted such a provocation immediately after the new administration took office, the ROK government firmly warns that the DPRK should not put to the test the resolve of our government and the international community, including the United States of America and People’s Republic of China, for denuclearization and the establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula. Furthermore, the ROK government urges once again the DPRK to cease all forms of provocation and to return to the path of dialogue for denuclearization.

3. The ROK government will not tolerate any provocative action by the DPRK and will remain steadfast in safeguarding the lives of our people and the security of the nation based on the firm basis of ROK-US alliance. /end/

* unofficial translation